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Backstage news regarding CM Punk’s appearance at the 2023 WWE NXT Deadline PLE

Aaron Rift

CM Punk appeared at the start of the 2023 WWE NXT Deadline PLE and teased joining the NXT brand instead of RAW or Smackdown. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, the idea was pitched at Smackdown and Punk was said to have been “immediately up” for making the appearance. Johnson noted the following…

“The story that Punk ‘missed his flight’ was simply a creative reason to explain his appearance and to set the ball rolling for fans to anticipate his appearance through social media engagement with Punk, Shawn Michaels and Paul Levesque [Triple H] postings on Instagram and Twitter. We are told that Punk was not hidden backstage before his appearance and was available and friendly to the NXT talents backstage, many of whom he met for the first time tonight.”

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful also noted that people backstage at Deadline said Punk seemed “really happy” to be at the event. Punk met up with several talent including Cora Jade who was a fan of his growing up. WWE published a video of Punk telling Cora he’s proud of her and giving her a hug…